J.D. Martinez on track to rejoin Dodgers soon – but still mystified by injury

LOS ANGELES — The mystery continues.

J.D. Martinez could be a week away from returning from the injured list. But he still expresses consternation at the mystifying injury that landed him there.

Martinez hasn’t played since Aug. 19 after which the Dodgers finally decided to put him on the IL and shut him down for 10 days to see if that would calm the recurring tightness in his groin and hamstring area. Multiple times in the weeks before that, Martinez had to be scratched from the starting lineup when he “locked up” during batting practice and couldn’t play.

Martinez has had back issues in the past but is convinced that is not the root of this problem. An epidural injection and an eight-day layoff between games gave him some relief – until the problem recurred.

Martinez started swinging a bat Tuesday for the first time since going on the IL, but he was dismissive about what that test proved.

“Ten flips. Doesn’t even count,” Martinez said.

Martinez said he still has “no answers” about what has triggered the recurring flareups and can’t be sure now that the time off will guarantee they don’t return after he starts playing again.

“I’ve never had one (an injury) like this. It’s crazy,” he said.

“That’s why it’s so (expletive) frustrating.”

Martinez increased his swings Wednesday and is scheduled to take batting practice on the field Thursday, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. A minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City could follow in the next few days.

“If that goes well, he’s expected to join us in D.C.,” Roberts said, referring to the three-game stop in Washington at the end of next week’s road trip.

That would give Martinez 20 games or so before the postseason to regain his swing – and see if his injury resurfaces again.

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

The Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have met in the playoffs three times in the past five years – the 2018 NL Division Series and the back-to-back NL Championship Series in 2020 and 2021 with the winner going on to win the World Series. They seem to be on a collision course again this year.

The Braves come to L.A. for a four-game series starting Thursday holding the best record in baseball. The Dodgers went into Wednesday’s game four games back with the second-best record.

“That has value certainly,” Roberts said of catching the Braves and taking the No. 1 seed. “The other part, I think most importantly, is just gathering information. We know each other pretty well, but we haven’t seen them in awhile. We’re going to get to see their guys so it’ll be a good test for all of us.”

The Braves’ rotation lines up with Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton set to pitch in L.A. The Dodgers will go with Lance Lynn and Julio Urias in the first two games and Bobby Miller on Sunday. Saturday is likely to be a bullpen game with Gavin Stone potentially recalled to start.

But Roberts made it clear the Dodgers will not go out of their way to chase the No. 1 seed this weekend – or change their decision-making in September even if they win this series and close the gap with the Braves.

“The main thing is getting to and through October healthy,” Roberts said. “I think we do a good job – like I’ve said many times over – just focusing on the day. We’re going to try and win as many games as we can and we’ll see how it plays out.

“Us getting to the postseason healthy, that trumps everything.”

MILLER TIME

Veteran right-hander Shelby Miller completed his rehab assignment by pitching a scoreless inning for OKC on Sunday, according to Roberts, and was en route to Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Miller has been on the injured list since mid-June with a herniated disc in his neck. He made seven appearances on his rehab assignment, two in the Arizona Complex League and five with OKC. In those five, he allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks in four innings.

“We haven’t decided when to activate him but he is en route,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers could wait until Friday when rosters expand from 26 to 28 players.

ALSO

The Dodgers recalled right-hander Ryan Pepiot to start Wednesday’s game and designated right-hander Tyson Miller for assignment. Miller has gone from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Dodgers to the New York Mets and back to the Dodgers this season. He made one appearance with the Dodgers each time before being waived. …

The Dodgers signed veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart to a minor-league contract. Barnhart, 32, was released by the Chicago Cubs last week. Because he was signed before September 1, he would be eligible for a postseason roster spot with the Dodgers.